Burping projectile

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a burping projectile and, particularly, a non-lethal projectile having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the payload cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact, resulting in sufficient expansion of the projectile body via the forces of propellant gases to create an annular opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body forward end. The payload is then ejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the escaping payload producing a rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof to a non-lethal forward velocity or a total reverse in direction of travel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a burping projectile. Inparticular, the present invention provides a non-lethal projectile,having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an expulsion chargevia an ignition shaft in the payload cup of the projectile body at apreset distance from target impact, resulting in inflation of theprojectile body with propellant gases to a level sufficient to expandsame so as to create an annular opening between the projectile body sidewall and projectile body forward end. The non-lethal payload is thenejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of theexpelled payload and propellant gases producing a rearward thrust on theprojectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional non-lethal ammunition is launched with a kinetic energysufficiently low to effect a non-lethal result upon target impact. Toenable launching of ammunition at such reduced velocities (and hencewith reduced kinetic energies), it is necessary to reduce the muzzlevelocity. However, when utilizing non-lethal munitions, such asgrenades, there is a danger that, even with reduced muzzle velocities,the projectile body itself may have sufficient kinetic energy toseverely wound or damage a human target upon impact.

Further, when utilizing non-lethal munitions, such as non-lethalgrenades, against inanimate targets, such as automotive windshields,etc., there is a danger that the projectile body will have sufficientkinetic energy upon impact to penetrate the target and harm surroundinghuman assets. Further, by reducing muzzle muzzle velocity, recoilimpulse is also reduced, which frequently causes malfunctioning of theweapon operating system and fire control when firing the non-lethalammunition from standard weapons.

In addition, conventional non-lethal munitions are not range specific,i.e., they are meant to be used for targets within a wide range from theshooter, and are not tailored to targets within specific ranges.Frequently, such conventional non-lethal munitions fail to reach reducedvelocities (and thus reduced kinetic energies) before impacting thetarget, when the target is at a close proximity from the shooter, or areincapable of reaching targets at longer ranges, due to reducedvelocities/kinetic energies at such longer ranges. Thus, manyconventional non-lethal munitions are provided with detailed guidelinesconcerning target ranges, to minimize the occurrence of lethal impact orineffectiveness. However, in combat situations, adherence to suchguidelines is difficult and often overlooked.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-lethalmunition capable of providing recoil impulse sufficient to cyclestandard weapons, while also providing optimized non-lethal effects atall target ranges. In particular, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a non-lethal munition capable of achievingsufficient recoil impulse and kinetic energy to reach desired targets,while also being able to reduce the velocity of the projectile body to anon-lethal level before impact with the target, or be capable ofdecelerating the projectile body before impact with the target to avoidimpact of the projectile body with the target altogether

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the presentinventors earnestly endeavored to provide a projectile having aprojectile body capable of expanding and expelling the non-lethalpayload therein before impact, and decelerating the projectile body to anon-lethal velocity before impact with the target. Accordingly, thepresent inventors developed a burping projectile having a non-lethalpayload therein. In particular, in a first embodiment of the presentinvention, a burping projectile is prpvided comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferentialportion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a frontedge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;

(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion ofthe hollow projectile body, said payload cup comprised of:

-   -   (i) a rear end,    -   (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end,    -   (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end,    -   (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end        of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an        ignition shaft port disposed therethrough;    -   (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload        cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in        communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup        closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second        end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween        having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition        propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion;    -   (vi) expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload        cup cavity, at least adjacent to the ignitions ports of the        hollow ignition shaft; and    -   (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload        cup cavity; and

(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollowprojectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellantdisposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze havinga means for initiating the ignition propellant.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment is provided, wherein the projectile body iscomprised of aluminum, copper, brass or steel.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment is provided, wherein the annular opening is fromabout 0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment is provided, wherein the circumferential portionof the hollow projectile body has a thickness of between about 0.030 and0.125 inches.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment is provided, wherein the hollow projectile bodyexpands from about 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at the frontedge thereof after ignition of the expulsion propellant.

In a sixth embodiment, the burping projectile of the first embodimentabove is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a point-detonatingfuze.

In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the nose-mounted fuzeis a proximity fuze.

In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the payload cupfurther comprises a ballast material disposed within the interiorpayload cup cavity.

In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the eighth embodiment above is provided, wherein the ballast materialis a dense powder.

In a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the ninth embodiment above is provided, wherein the dense powder ismetal powder.

In an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the thickness ofthe circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body tapers towardsto the front end thereof.

In a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the burping projectileof the first embodiment above is provided, wherein the non-lethalpayload is a powdered material.

In a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein thenose-mounted fuze is in connection with the hollow projectile body via atethering means.

In a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided, wherein thenose-mounted fuze is tethered to the hollow projectile body via a stringor line in connection at a first end thereof with the hollow projectilebody, and at a second end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze.

In a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein thenon-lethal payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bang material.

In a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein thenon-lethal payload comprises a riot control agent.

In a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein thenon-lethal payload comprises a marking dye.

In an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, the burpingprojectile of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein thenon-lethal payload additionally performs a ballast function.

In a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, a burpingprojectile is provided comprising:

(a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, a circumferentialportion adjacent the rear end defining an interior portion, and a frontedge opposite the rear end defined by the circumferential portion;

(b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined by the interior portion ofthe hollow projectile body, said interior payload cup cavity comprisedof:

-   -   (i) a rear end,    -   (ii) a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an        interior payload cup cavity,    -   (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end,    -   (iv) a payload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end        of the payload cup, the payload cup closure disk having an        ignition shaft port disposed therethrough;    -   (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interior payload        cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end in        communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup        closure disk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second        end opposite the first end, a hollow middle portion therebetween        having ignition ports disposed therethrough, and ignition        propellant disposed within the hollow middle portion;    -   (vi) a partition disposed within the interior payload cup        cavity, between the rear end and the front end thereof;    -   (vi) an expulsion propellant disposed within the interior        payload cup cavity between the rear end and the partition, and        adjacent to the ignitions ports of the hollow ignition shaft;        and    -   (vii) a non-lethal payload disposed within the interior payload        cup cavity between the front end and the partition; and

(c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge of the hollowprojectile body, and in communication with the ignition propellantdisposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze havinga means for initiating the ignition propellant.

When the burping projectile of the first embodiment above is fired, thenose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burpingprojectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causingthe expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interiorportion thereof. These propellant gases thereby create high pressurewithin the hollow projectile body, causing expansion of the hollowprojectile body at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereofsufficient to create an annular opening between the front edge of theprojectile body and the nose-mounted fuze. The payload, as well as thepropellant gases, are then expelled through the annular opening, causingdeceleration of the hollow projectile body by the reverse thrust createdby the propellant gases and payload.

In contrast to the burping projectile of the first embodiment above,when the burping projectile of the nineteenth embodiment above is fired,the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burpingprojectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causingthe expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interiorportion thereof. These propellant gases creating pressure upon thepartition, and subsequent expansion of the hollow projectile body atleast at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create anannular opening between the front edge of the projectile body and thenose-mounted fuze. The pressure eventually forces the partition forward,thus expelling the non-lethal payload and the expulsion propellantgases, and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body by thereverse thrust created by the propellant gases and payload.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a grenade, containing the burpingprojectile of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention after firing of the grenade shown in FIG. 1,illustrating the burping projectile at a point in time when thenose-mounted fuze has begun to initiate the expelling charge, but beforethe projectile body has “burped” and expelled the non-lethal payload.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a point intime after firing, wherein the nose-mounted fuze has initiated theexpelling charge, the projectile body has “burped”, and when thenon-lethal payload has begun to be expelled from the hollow projectilebody.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention, illustrating the burping projectile at a point intime after the nose-mounted fuze has initiated the expelling charge, theprojectile body has “burped”, the non-lethal payload has been expelledfrom the hollow projectile body, and when the expulsion of thenon-lethal payload and expulsion charge propellant gases has deceleratedthe hollow projectile body, payload cup and nose-mounted fuze.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention after firing, but before “burping” has occurred,illustrating the embodiment of the present invention wherein a partitionis disposed within the hollow projectile body to physically separate thenon-lethal payload from the expulsion propellant.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention, shown in FIG. 5, after firing, and during the“burping” process.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the burping projectile of thepresent invention, shown in FIG. 5, after the projectile has “burped”,and all of the non-lethal payload has been expelled from the projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1 herein, the present invention provides aburping projectile 1, shown as part of a grenade before firing thereof.The burping projectile 1 is comprised of a hollow projectile body 3having a rear end 5, a circumferential portion 7 adjacent the rear end 5defining an interior portion 9, and a front edge 11 opposite the rearend 5 defined by the circumferential portion 7. The hollow projectilebody 3 is formed of metals or polymers that are able to slightly expandwithout extreme fragmenting upon exposure to high pressures andtemperatures. Generally, aluminum, copper, brass or steel are used, withaluminum being the most preferred material, based on ease ofmanufacture, high strength to weight ratio, sufficient elongationproperties and, in flash-bang applications, the contribution of thealuminum to the flash-bang reaction.

It has been found that the optimum thickness of the circumferentialportion 7 of the hollow projectile body 3, when formed of aluminum, forenabling proper expansion thereof during firing, is between about 0.030and 0.125 inches. This circumferential portion 7 thickness allows thehollow projectile body 3 to expand from about 0.010 to about 0.100inches in diameter at the front edge 11 thereof after ignition of theexpulsion propellant 39. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness ofthe circumferential portion 7 may be tapered toward the front edge 11 ofthe hollow projectile body 3, which may be desired in some applicationsto tailor the size of the annular opening 45 created between the frontedge 11 and nose-mounted fuze 41 upon ignition of the expulsionpropellant 39, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The hollow ignition shaft 27, which contains ignition propellant 29, isdisposed within the interior payload cavity 19, and has a first end 31in communication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closuredisk 23 adjacent the ignition shaft port 25. A second end 33 of thehollow ignition shaft 27 is disposed opposite the first end 31, and ahollow middle portion 35 is disposed therebetween. Ignition ports 37 aredisposed through said hollow middle portion 35. As illustrated in FIG.1, the hollow projectile body 3 serves to contain the powderedpayload/pyrotechnic payload.

Expulsion propellant 39 is disposed within the interior payload cupcavity 19, adjacent to the ignitions ports 37 of the hollow ignitionshaft 27. Generally, the expulsion propellant 39 and a non-lethalpayload 47 are contained together, in a mixed or unmized state, withinthe interior payload cup cavity 19. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIGS. 5-7, a partition 4 may be utilized, disposed within the hollowprojectile body 3, to contain the separate the powdered payload orpyrotechnic payload (non-letgal payload 47) from the expulsionpropellant 39. The partition 4 serves to both physically separate thesecomponents, as well as provide a piston-like apparatus to assist in theexpulsion of the non-lethal payload 47 from the interior payload cupcavity 19.

A nose-mounted fuze 41, which may be a proximity fuze orpoint-detonation fuze, is disposed adjacent the front edge 11 of thehollow projectile body 3, and is in communication with the ignitionpropellant 29 disposed within the hollow ignition shaft 27, so as to beable to ignite same. Thus, the nose-mounted fuze has a conventionalmeans for initiating the ignition propellant 29, such as a primerassembly, electrical initiation means, etc.

Further, as mentioned above, also contained within the interior payloadcup cavity 19 is the non-lethal payload 47, which generally is a powderor aggregate material. The non-lethal payload 47 is generally partiallyor wholly mixed with the expulsion propellant 39, but may be disposedseparately therefrom, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Preferably, thenon-lethal payload is a dense powder, such as a metal powder, but may beany powder that is non-lethal upon impact with the target.Alternatively, the non-lethal payload may be comprised of a pyrotechnicflash-bang material, a riot control agent, or a marking dye. Inaddition, the interior payload cup cavity 19 may further comprise aballast material, such as a dense powder, or the non-lethal payload 47may act itself as the ballast material.

It is preferable that the nose-mounted fuze 41 not impact the targetduring firing, as the nose-mounted fuze 41 may itself provide lethality.Thus, the nose-mounted fuze 41 is preferably affixed to the hollowprojectile body 3, to allow the deceleration process to act upon thenose-mounted fuze 41, as well as the hollow projectile body 3. As analternative to direct affixation, the nose-mounted fuze 41 may be inconnection with the hollow projectile body 3 via a tethering means. Forexample, the nose-mounted fuze 41 may be tethered to the hollowprojectile body 3 via a string or line, in connection at a first endthereof with the hollow projectile body 3 or payload cup 4, and at asecond end thereof with the nose-mounted fuze 41.

When the ignition propellant 29 is ignited, the ignition travels throughthe propellant 29, and ultimately through the ignition ports 37,initiating the expulsion propellant 39. The initiation of the expulsionpropellant 39 forms high temperature propellant gases within theinterior payload cup cavity 19 of the hollow projectile body 3. At acertain predetermined pressure, the pressure within the hollowprojectile body 3 causes expansion, i.e., “burping”, thereof adjacentthe front edge 11, creating an annular opening 45 between the front edge11 and nose-mounted fuze 41.

The high internal pressure built up within the internal payload cupcavity 19 causes the propellant gases to expel the non-lethal payload 47through the annular opening 45. This expulsion of pressurized gases,non-lethal payload and, alternatively, ballast material, creates areverse thrust on the hollow projectile body 3. This reverse thrustcreates deceleration of the hollow projectile body 3, which is desirableas it slows the velocity of the hollow projectile body 3 to a non-lethalvelocity upon impact with the target, or more desirable, avoids impactof the hollow projectile body 3 with the target altogether.

During testing, it was found that, when utilizing an aluminum hollowprojectile body, 2.5 ksiof pressure applied within 1 msec can create aninternal pressure of 5 ksi. This amount of internal pressure within thehollow projectile body is sufficient pressure to adequately expand thehollow projectile body to create a desirable annular opening. Afterexpansion and expulsion of the propellant gases and the non-lethalpayload, the internal pressure is rapidly reduced, and does generallynot exceed 2.5 ksi. Thus, undesirable fragmentation of the hollowprojectile body is avoided.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will understandthat changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the inventionis not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments.Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and allsuch applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope ofthe present invention

1. A burping projectile comprising: (a) a hollow projectile body havinga rear end, a circumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining aninterior portion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by thecircumferential portion; (b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined bythe interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said payload cupcomprised of: (i) a rear end, (ii) a circumferential portion adjacentthe rear end, (iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end, (iv) apayload cup closure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payloadcup, the payload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposedtherethrough; (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interiorpayload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end incommunication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closuredisk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite thefirst end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition portsdisposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within thehollow middle portion; (vi) expulsion propellant disposed within theinterior payload cup cavity, at least adjacent to the ignitions ports ofthe hollow ignition shaft; and (vii) a non-lethal payload disposedwithin the interior payload cup cavity; (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposedadjacent the front edge of the hollow projectile body, and incommunication with the ignition propellant disposed within the hollowignition shaft, said nose-mounted fuze having a means for initiating theignition propellant.
 2. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein theprojectile body is comprised of aluminum, copper, brass or steel.
 3. Theburping projectile of claim 1, wherein the annular opening is from about0.005 to 0.050 inches in diameter.
 4. The burping projectile of claim 1,wherein the circumferential portion of the hollow projectile body has athickness of between about 0.030 and 0.125 inches.
 5. The burpingprojectile of claim 1, wherein the hollow projectile body expands fromabout 0.010 to about 0.100 inches in diameter at the front edge thereofafter ignition of the expulsion propellant.
 6. The burping projectile ofclaim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is a point-detonating fuze. 7.The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is aproximity fuze.
 8. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein thepayload cup further comprises a ballast material disposed within theinterior payload cup cavity.
 9. The burping projectile of claim 7,wherein the ballast material is a dense powder.
 10. The burpingprojectile of claim 8, wherein the dense powder is metal powder.
 11. Theburping projectile of claim 1, wherein the thickness of ihecircumferential portion of the hollow projectile body tapers towards tothe front end thereof.
 12. The burping projectile of claim 1, whereinthe non-lethal payload is a powdered material.
 13. The burpingprojectile of claim 1, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is in connectionwith the hollow projectile body via a tethering means.
 14. The burpingprojectile of claim 12, wherein the nose-mounted fuze is tethered to thehollow projectile body via a string or line in connection at a first endthereof with the hollow projectile body, and at a second end thereofwith the nose-mounted fuze.
 15. The burping projectile of claim 1,wherein the non-lethal payload is comprised of a pyrotechnic flash-bangmaterial.
 16. The burping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethalpayload comprises a riot control agent.
 17. The burping projectile ofclaim 1, wherein the non-lethal payload comprises a marking dye.
 18. Theburping projectile of claim 1, wherein the non-lethal payloadadditionally performs a ballast function.
 19. A burping projectilecomprising: (a) a hollow projectile body having a rear end, acircumferential portion adjacent the rear end defining an interiorportion, and a front edge opposite the rear end defined by thecircumferential portion; (b) an interior payload cup cavity, defined bythe interior portion of the hollow projectile body, said interiorpayload cup cavity comprised of: (i) a rear end, (ii) a circumferentialportion adjacent the rear end defining an interior payload cup cavity,(iii) a front end disposed opposite the rear end, (iv) a payload cupclosure disk disposed adjacent the front end of the payload cup, thepayload cup closure disk having an ignition shaft port disposedtherethrough; (v) a hollow ignition shaft disposed within the interiorpayload cup cavity, the hollow ignition shaft having a first end incommunication with or formed contiguous with the payload cup closuredisk adjacent the ignition shaft port thereof, a second end opposite thefirst end, a hollow middle portion therebetween having ignition portsdisposed therethrough, and ignition propellant disposed within thehollow middle portion; (vi) a partition disposed within the interiorpayload cup cavity, between the rear end and the front end thereof; (vi)an expulsion propellant disposed within the interior payload cup cavitybetween the rear end and the partition, and adjacent to the ignitionsports of the hollow ignition shaft; (vii) a non-lethal payload disposedwithin the interior payload cup cavity between the front end and thepartition; (c) a nose-mounted fuze disposed adjacent the front edge ofthe hollow projectile body, and in communication with the ignitionpropellant disposed within the hollow ignition shaft, said nose-mountedfuze having a means for initiating the ignition propellant,
 20. Theburping projectile of claim 1, wherein, when the projectile is fired,the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burpingprojectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causingthe expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interiorportion thereof, thereby creating expansion of the hollow projectilebody at least at and adjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient tocreate an annular opening between the front edge of the projectile bodyand the nose-mounted fuze, through which the non-lethal payload isexpelled and causing deceleration of the hollow projectile body.
 21. Theburping projectile of claim 19, wherein, when the projectile is fired,the nose-mounted fuze ignites the expulsion propellant when the burpingprojectile travels to within a preset distance from a target, causingthe expulsion propellant to form propellant gases within the interiorportion thereof, thereby creating pressure upon the partition andsubsequent expansion of the hollow projectile body at least at andadjacent to the front edge thereof sufficient to create an annularopening between the front edge of the projectile body and thenose-mounted fuze, the partition being forced forward and expelling thenon-lethal payload and the expulsion propellant gases, and causingdeceleration of the hollow projectile body.